TEXTING IS SUCH A PAIN
Ismat Khoja
| 1 minute to read
Increase in technology and its dependency in this era is leading to a modern musculoskeletal disorder known as “TEXT NECK”
It’s a kind of repeated stress injury resulting in neck pain. The incidence is majorly seen in young population with the increase in mobile usage. Bending the neck down a forward to check the screen of the smartphone affects the spine. The picture can help you understand the force acting on the neck! Common symptoms are: 🔸 Neck pain with or without radiation in the arm 🔸 Neck stiffness 🔸Muscle weakness of the trapezius, rhomboids and external rotators of the shoulder. 🔸Cervicogenic headaches 🔸Thoracic Kyphosis Leading Breathing Problems. 🔸 Early degenerative changes Prevention is always better than cure. As per a SR, here are some recommendation to prevent text neck: ▪ Avoid excessive total usage. ▪ Avoid prolonged static postures. ▪ Use opportunities to vary whole body, head/neck and upper extremity postures during mobile use. ▪ Avoid awkward postures during prolonged or repetitive use. ▪ Position the mobile at a height to balance head/neck and upper extremity stress–holding the screen at around eye level encourages neutral head/neck posture but increases upper extremity loading; holding the screen at around waist/lap level increases head/neck bending but reduces upper extremity loading. ▪ For longer durations of use, support the mobile at a tilt angle (e.g. with the use of device accessories) to balance neck and upper extremity stress ▪ Avoid high repetition of movements such as prolonged typing or swiping on phone. ▪ Avoid forceful exertions such as holding larger or heavy phone in one hand for long durations. Rehabilitation is useful in treating the condition. Primary aim would be reducing the pain, which can be achieved by: 🔹 Mobility exercises for neck rotations and side bending 🔹Ice/Hot Packs 🔹Strengthening the weaker muscle group. 🔹Cervical core exercises such as chin tucks. 🔹Myofascial release if triggers present. So don't forget how much pain your social media can give to you in literal terms! Tag someone who needs to read this! Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5546699/ #daactarni
It’s a kind of repeated stress injury resulting in neck pain. The incidence is majorly seen in young population with the increase in mobile usage. Bending the neck down a forward to check the screen of the smartphone affects the spine. The picture can help you understand the force acting on the neck! Common symptoms are: 🔸 Neck pain with or without radiation in the arm 🔸 Neck stiffness 🔸Muscle weakness of the trapezius, rhomboids and external rotators of the shoulder. 🔸Cervicogenic headaches 🔸Thoracic Kyphosis Leading Breathing Problems. 🔸 Early degenerative changes Prevention is always better than cure. As per a SR, here are some recommendation to prevent text neck: ▪ Avoid excessive total usage. ▪ Avoid prolonged static postures. ▪ Use opportunities to vary whole body, head/neck and upper extremity postures during mobile use. ▪ Avoid awkward postures during prolonged or repetitive use. ▪ Position the mobile at a height to balance head/neck and upper extremity stress–holding the screen at around eye level encourages neutral head/neck posture but increases upper extremity loading; holding the screen at around waist/lap level increases head/neck bending but reduces upper extremity loading. ▪ For longer durations of use, support the mobile at a tilt angle (e.g. with the use of device accessories) to balance neck and upper extremity stress ▪ Avoid high repetition of movements such as prolonged typing or swiping on phone. ▪ Avoid forceful exertions such as holding larger or heavy phone in one hand for long durations. Rehabilitation is useful in treating the condition. Primary aim would be reducing the pain, which can be achieved by: 🔹 Mobility exercises for neck rotations and side bending 🔹Ice/Hot Packs 🔹Strengthening the weaker muscle group. 🔹Cervical core exercises such as chin tucks. 🔹Myofascial release if triggers present. So don't forget how much pain your social media can give to you in literal terms! Tag someone who needs to read this! Ref: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5546699/ #daactarni
Deepta Kumar
Good article! Its applicable to me 😀
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